Question

MACBETH. We will proceed no further in this business:

He hath honour'd me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon.
LADY MACBETH. Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dress d yourself? hath it slept since?
And wakes it now, to look so green and pale
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard
To be the same in thine own act and valour
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the omament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting 'I dare not wait upon would,
Like the poor cat the adage?
MACBETH. Prithee, peace:
I dare do all that may become a man
Who dares do more is none
William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act), scene vil
What evidence from the text supports the idea that Lady Macbeth believes her husband has decided not to kill the king because he is weak and cowardly?

Answer 1

Art thou afeard

To be the same in thine own act and valour

As thou art in desire?

Step-by-step explanation:

William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" revolves around the story of a Scottish general's rise to power through murderous acts. The play deals with themes of betrayal, greed for power, appearance, and reality, etc.

In the given exchange between Macbeth and his wife from Act I scene vii, Macbeth seemed reluctant to murder Duncan. But this feeling of remorse was counterargued by his wife, Lady Macbeth, who taunted him, saying,

"Art thou afeard

To be the same in thine own act and valour

As thou art in desire?"

Thus, this line supports the idea that Lady Macbeth believes her husband is too weak and cowardly to kill King Duncan.